Proliferating Native Plants on my Ranch

[Anonymous]

I have a 5 acre ranch in Wonder Valley 14 miles east of 29 Palms, CA. I have two saltscrubs that stand approx. sixteen feet tall. Plenty of creosote bushes and what may be catclaw acacia in my wash. I was wondering if anyone could tell me which plants would grow well there for use in wildlife enhancement and where I might find those plants. Wind block to prevent wind/flash flood erosion would help. Also, a list of cacti that rabbits, quail, roadrunners could use would help. All info would very much be appriciated. I would also like to extend an invitation to anyone in the club interested in going to the ranch personally. D.G.Lindsay

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, I live in the Sacramento Valley and don't have any ideas for your area. However, I am trying to find someone in one of the local chapters to give you some advice. Cheers, Carol</p>

[Anonymous]

Have you done any research at Joshua Tree National Park. They should have native species lists and maybe even a garden to see for yourself. I visit my local forest service garden at different times of year to see differing seasonal varities </p>

[Anonymous]

D.G. Lindsay:The folks at the Natioanl Park Service, Joshua Tree NP may be able to assist but also contact the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens in Claremont at 909 625-8767. There are several folks there: Susan Jett, Steven Boyd, J Mark Porter. Also try Jim Andre from the Univ Calif Reserve at the Granite Mtns at granites@telis.org. You may also try the Living Desert Museum in Palm Desert. Also try Andy Sanders at the Uinv Calif Riverside at909 787-3601.</p>

[Anonymous]

The key word may be 'proliferation.' The key concept in desert or for that matter any ecosystem ecology is 'limitation.' Any site anywhere can support only so much without external subsidy e.g. water, fertilizer. Think of your site as having a finite 'carrying capacity.' Native plants can be 'proliferated' up to, but not exceeding that limited capacity. Any 'proliferation' beyond that point can only be done by artificially increasing the site's carrying capacity. There are 'active' importing water and fertilizer and 'passive' 'harvesting' water--which means that some downstream site and/or the atmosphere is not going to get the water fraction harvested ways to increase carrying capacity. If disturbance e.g. grading or other destruction of indigenous plants has occurred and you want to restore the lost vegetation, you can probably do so, since there may be capacity untapped by extirpated plants. If you want help with details, please supply more information about what you want to achieve and whether or not your property is undisturbed desert or disturbed desert.

Some simple modifications may help with erosion, maybe even 'windbreaks,' although the latter may more efficiently be served by structures. Wind is a desert given, right?

Best,WT </p>